Background and Relevance of the Industry in Jalisco
Jaime Pedroza Hernández, president of the Textile Clothing Industry Delegation (Canaive) in Jalisco, expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on imported textile materials on the region’s apparel industry. The industry heavily relies on foreign inputs, with most textile and clothing materials sourced from Asia.
Tariffs on Asian Imports and Their Effects
Five months after the implementation of tariffs on smaller Asian imports, Jalisco’s apparel sector continues to show signs of stagnation, with many micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSEs) facing closures. These tariffs were expected to boost local manufacturing, but now textile material tariffs threaten the industry further.
The existing tariffs target countries without free trade agreements with Mexico. The textile industry’s heavy dependence on foreign materials, primarily sourced from Asia, exacerbates the situation. Domestic textile capacity is insufficient in both quantity and quality to meet industry demands.
Lack of Support for Local Textile Producers
Pedroza Hernández highlighted that local textile producers lack modern infrastructure to create innovative, high-quality materials needed for the industry’s competitiveness. The sector has held numerous meetings with the Secretaría de Economía (SE) to argue against increased textile tariffs, but these efforts have not yielded positive results.
Stagnant Growth in the Apparel Industry
The apparel industry’s growth in Mexico, including Jalisco, has been minimal. This stagnation affects the entire country and is particularly pronounced in the fashion segment.
Subsectors like industrial, restaurant, and hotel uniforms have shown more dynamism. However, the number of registered companies in Jalisco’s apparel sector has dropped from around 980 to 923 in the past year, according to the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).
Although the state government announced a support fund for MSEs, including textiles, in 2025, Canaive believes the resources were insufficient and not sector-specific, leading to fierce competition for access.
Challenges Posed by Rising Input Costs
The industry faces significant challenges due to a 200% increase in input costs over the past 26 years. These rising costs cannot easily be passed on to consumers, as low-cost, disposable clothing from online platforms remains highly competitive.
Meanwhile, local producers are expected to maintain high quality and durability standards. The apparel industry in Jalisco supports approximately 19,500 registered jobs through the IMSS. However, these positions are under constant pressure due to the closure of smaller production units.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main concern of Jalisco’s textile industry? The primary concern is the impact of tariffs on imported textile materials, which threaten to further burden an industry already struggling with heavy reliance on foreign inputs.
- How has the apparel industry in Jalisco been affected by tariffs? The sector has experienced stagnation, with many MSEs facing closures. Tariffs on textile materials now pose an additional challenge.
- What are the issues faced by local textile producers? Local producers lack modern infrastructure and face insufficient domestic textile capacity, making it difficult to meet industry demands for high-quality materials.
- Why has the apparel industry’s growth been minimal in Mexico? The country’s overall apparel industry growth has been stagnant, with subsectors like fashion showing even less growth.
- What challenges do rising input costs present for the textile industry? The industry cannot easily pass increased costs onto consumers due to competitive low-cost clothing options. Local producers must maintain high standards for quality and durability.
